INSTANT POT GREEK PEAS IN RED SAUCE RECIPE (ARAKAS KOKKINISTOS)

This classic Instant Pot Greek Peas in Red Sauce recipe creates a fulfilling entree, ready in about 30 minutes. Fresh and sweet flavours of peas and cooked vegetables in a tomato-olive oil sauce that only requires a few simple ingredients. Sounds perfect to me!

WHAT IS ARAKAS KOKKINISTOS?

Greek Peas in Red Sauce, also known as Arakas Kokkinistos or Αρακάς κοκκινιστός in Greek (pronounced Ara-KAS Ko-ki-ni-STOS) is a traditional Greek pea stew braised in rich tomato and olive oil sauce. It is part of the “Ladera” category of Greek dishes. In Greek, “ladi” means oil, and a ladera dishes are meals made with vegetables cooked in high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Also in Greek, “kokkino” means red, so this recipe specifically refers to peas cooked in a tomato-based olive oil sauce.

This pea stew makes a fulfilling vegan dinner, perfect as a weeknight meal, for Meatless Monday or during Lent, and as an introduction to the Mediterranean Diet. It is also a budget-friendly Instant Pot side dish that pairs well with chicken or beef.

WHY MAKE ARAKAS IN THE INSTANT POT?

Traditionally, Arakas takes around an hour to simmer on the soft, to get the potatoes and carrots soft and to allow the sauce to thicken. With this Instant Pot Greek Peas recipe, you get that “all-day” slow-cooked flavour in a fraction of the time, with minimal monitoring required.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE OUR INSTANT POT ARAKAS KOKKINISTOS RECIPE

• Delicious – There are so many complementary flavour layers to this dish. Green peas and carrots give sweetness, tomato and onion give umami, the herbs bring an earthy taste, and the olive oil tops it off with a distinct deliciousness that Greek cuisine is famous for. You’ll never think of peas the same way again.
• Easy – This recipe is a true “Dump-and-Go” recipe. It couldn’t be easier to make!
• Fast – Prepping the vegetables only takes a few minutes. This dish is on your table, ready to eat from start to finish in about 30 minutes.
• Budget-Friendly – Frozen peas, root vegetables, and fresh herbs are some of the most inexpensive produce available. This recipe makes 8 servings of entrees for just under 10 bucks in our area.
• Plant-based – Greek Peas in Red Sauce is naturally vegetarian and vegan. The traditional Greek diet is renowned for having naturally vegan dishes. A diet rich in plant-based foods is associated with an incredible amount of health benefits. It is also great for the environment as plant-based food has a smaller environmental footprint than meat-based agriculture.
• Top Allergen Free – For anyone with a food allergy, you know how challenging it can be to eat safe, comfort-style foods. You don’t have to sacrifice any safety with this recipe. As with many recipes here on Athena Pot, our Arakas Kokkinistos recipe is another one that meets “top allergen-free” criteria.

TONY’S NOTES

“Arakas Kokkinistos is actually one of my favourite meals. The whole family loves them and honestly, I haven’t found anyone who doesn’t. In Western cuisine, green peas are usually used as a side dish next to some meat, but not in Greek cuisine. Green peas are a traditional, well-known, and beloved main dish themselves. This recipe, which is the most famous around Greece, belongs to the well-known category of vegetables cooked with olive oil and tomato sauce. You can combine Arakas with a piece of feta cheese, but it is equally super yummy without the cheese. We recommend eating it with a piece of fresh bread that you can dip in the remaining olive oil and tomato sauce. This recipe can easily introduce you to the Mediterranean cuisine and will show you how easy it is to include cooked vegetables in your diet. Enjoy!”

HOW TO PREPARE INSTANT POT GREEK PEAS IN RED SAUCE RECIPE

You will love these preparation instructions for our Instant Pot Greek Peas in Red Sauce recipe because it couldn’t be easier to make. This is a true “Dump-and-Go” recipe because it doesn’t require any work besides putting all the prepared ingredients into the Instant Pot, setting it for 6 minutes to cook on high pressure, and then do a quick release when done. Add fresh extra virgin olive oil to the completed dish and gently stir to combine the flavours. That’s it!

The prep time is minimal because it’s only a few vegetables that need chopping. Prechop and store the vegetables (minus the potato) in the fridge up to one day before making the meal to save time when preparing. Many times I chopped the veggies and herbs the previous night, so when I’m ready to make Arakas I can just dump everything in the Instant Pot effortlessly.

“DO I REALLY NEED TO USE THAT MUCH OLIVE OIL?”

The simple answer is …. yes! We use massive amounts of olive oil in Greek cooking, which seems extreme from a typical Western diet viewpoint. But the Mediterranean diet is world-renowned as being one of the healthiest cuisines on the planet, and one of the reasons is the abundance of extra virgin olive oil in the dishes. Extra virgin olive oil contains a high number of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. The rich flavour and consistency adds another element to the soup and helps satisfy you without the need for meat. Add 1/4 cup of olive oil to the dish before cooking, and add 1/2 cup after cooking. Adding fresh olive oil after the cooking process changes the texture and taste of the dish, giving it a rich and fulfilling depth.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS AND SERVING SUGGESTIONS FOR INSTANT POT ARAKAS KOKKINISTOS

One of the things I love about this dish is the versatility with the vegetables. I use the recipe as written as the foundation and add extras that I have on hand. Got a little zucchini? Dice it up and pop it in. Frozen corn? Perfect! I recommend trying the recipe first as is, and then from there you can play with it to see which flavour combinations you’d like to add. Also, I will often double the amount of potatoes just because I love potatoes.

If you want to add a gourmet twist, you can serve it with some feta cheese. The saltiness of the feta adds another wonderful layer of flavour to this multifaceted dish.

To make this a full Greek meal, I highly recommend serving these peas with a big side of my Authentic Greek Tzatziki Dip and a large piece of thick bread to scoop up the oily-leftover-yumminess in your dish.

ALLERGY INFORMATION FOR GREEK PEAS IN RED SAUCE

Our Greek Peas in Red Sauce recipe is:

• Dairy-free
• Egg-free
• Nut-free
• Peanut-free
• Wheat-free
• Soy-free
• Sesame-free
• Fish-free
• Crustacean-free
• Celery-free
• Mustard-free

HOW TO STORE INSTANT POT GREEK PEAS IN RED SAUCE

Store leftover Instant Pot Greek Peas in Red Sauce in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also store it in an airtight, freezer-proof container for up to 3 months.

IF YOU LOVE THESE TOMATO-BASED STEWS, YOU HAVE TO TRY NEXT!

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